Apparatus for conditioning air

ABSTRACT

As air passes an electromagnetic radiation generator it is activated by ionization to produce ozone (O3) thereby removing noxious odors as well as carbon monoxide from the passing air. The electromagnetic radiation generator includes a gaseous filled sealed enclosure having a first electrode therein and a second electrode wound around the outer wall of the sealed enclosure. Both electrodes are connected to a source of cyclically varying voltage. Air to be purified from a source passes through a duct thereby producing an air stream into which the electromagnetic radiation generator is inserted. A mounting for the generator includes substantially parallel members extending into the duct with a cross bracket spaced between the extending members to support the sealed enclosure.

United States Patent Duke et a1.

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No: 245,174

APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AIR Inventors: Douglas Roy Duke, Dallas; Weldon V. Dupuis, Mesquite, both of Tex.

Air Guard Incorporated, Garland,

Tex.

Apr. 18, 1972 Primary Examiner-William J. Wye

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris & Med lock [57] ABSTRACT As air passes an electromagnetic radiation generator it is activated by ionization to produce ozone (0 thereby removing noxious odors as well as carbon monoxide from the passing air. The electromagnetic radiation generator includes a gaseous filled sealed enclosure having a first electrode therein and a second electrode wound around the outer wall of the sealed enclosure. Both electrodes are connected to a source of cyclically varying voltage. Air to be purified from a source passes through a duct thereby producing an air stream into which the electromagnetic radiation generator is inserted. A mounting for the generator includes substantially parallel members extending into the duct with a cross bracket spaced between the extending members to support the sealed enclosure.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AIR This invention relates to apparatus for conditioning air, and more particularly to conditioning air by means of an electromagnetic radiation generator extending into the air stream.

Heretofore, electromagnetic radiation, and particularly ultraviolet radiation, has been employed in the purification of air in a confined space by recirculating a portion of the air to be purified through a bypass channel. Because only a portion of the air stream entering the confined space was directed past the electromagnetic radiation generator, system efficiency was ad versely effected. Such a system is described and claimed in the copending US. Pat. application of Douglas R. Duke and Asa M. Pearson, Ser. No. 173,824 filed Aug. 23, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,556.

While the previous system described in the application of Douglas R. Duke et al provides several unique features, this application is directed to an improvement over the system described In accordance with the present invention, an electromagnetic radiation generator is positioned in the main air stream containing the air to be purified. In such a system, improved efficiency in the operation of the electromagnetic radiation generator results.

Invisible particles suspended in the atmosphere are considered at least as dangerous to humans as visible particles about which there is no much concern. Millions of these invisible particles are brought onto the confined spaces in which we live from the outside through ventilator and air conditioning systems. Even in closed recirculating air conditioning systems, the internal environment in which we live will quickly be contaminated with millions ofinvisible particles such as produced by smoking. The detrimental effects of the invisible particles on ones health has not been clearly established; but it is easy to show, however, that the majority of such particles reaching the lungs remain there for extended periods of time.

Thus, it is now realized that the full and effective conditioning of air requires more than heating, cooling, and humidifying; but also requires the conditioning of air in such a manner as to eliminate invisible particles and the noxious odors produced thereby.

To provide heating, cooling and humidifying of the air in confined spaces in which we live, systems have been developed which automatically control these three variables. With the present invention, invisible particles and noxious odors produced thereby are also controlled. The efficient and effective conditioning of the air which we breath becomes even more critical when we consider the very small enclosed passenger compartments of automobiles, buses, airplanes and other vehicles of travel. Further, the possibility of the presence of carbon monoxide in the passenger compartments of such vehicles presents a serious health hazard.

The use of ozone electromagnetic radiation generators, such as to be described, for discharging ozone into the passenger compartments of vehicles to reduce the pollution level therein for elimination of noxious odors or irritants, has a further advantage in that the ozone reacts with carbon monoxide to form oxygen and carbon dioxide, an innocuous gas at normal concentrations. Thus, purification of air by means of ozones substantially reduces the possibility of carbon monoxide being present in the passenger compartment of vehicles.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus for conditioning air includes an electromagnetic radiation generator (ozone generator) of a sealed enclosure filled with a gaseous medium and having a first electrode disposed within the enclosure and a second electrode wound around the outside of the enclosure. Both the first and second electrodes are connected to a source of cyclically varying voltage to produce an are for the generation of ozone. A source of air to be purified has an outlet in communication with a duct wherein an air stream is produced. A mounting is provided for the sealed enclosure of the electromagnetic radiation generator to extend such enclosure into the duct in the air stream to condition air from the source.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealed enclosure of the electromagnetic radiation generator is mounted into the air stream by a mounting that includes parallel members with a cross bracket extending between the members for supporting the sealed enclosure. Each ofthe electrodes of the electromagnetic radiation generator connects to the secondary of a transformer also having a primary winding and a feedback winding. Both the primary winding and feedback winding are connected as part of an oscillator circuit to produce a cyclically varying voltage from a DC source.

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims and from the accompanying drawings illus trative of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. I is a schematic representation of the apparatus of the invention illustrating the mounting of an electromagnetic radiation generator directly into the air stream of an air conditioning system including heating and cooling capabilities;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of an electromagnetic radiation generator in accordance with the present invention for mounting in the main air stream of an air conditioning system; and

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic of an oscillator circuit for providing a cyclically varying voltage to the electrodes of the electromagnetic radiation generator of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an air conditioning system for purifying, cooling and heating the air supplied to the passenger compartment of a vehicle, such as automobiles, buses, trucks and airplanes. Accordingly, a conventional fan 10, such as the squirrel cage blower type, has an intake port 12 and a plurality of output ports 14 for circulating an air flow 16 past a conventional cooling coil 18 and a heating radiator 20. As illustrated, the fan 10 may be adapted to rotate clockwise to direct an air flow through a channel 22 and thereafter through a duct 24 past the cooling coil 18 and heating radiator 20. The so conditioned air is then vented out of the duct 24 into the passenger compartment 26, illustrated by a dotted outline. The fan, duct work and heating-cooling portions are conventional and further description is not deemed necessary.

In a typical recirculating type of air conditioning system for a confined space such as compartment 26, the

intake port 12 of the fan may be connected to duct work extending to the compartment 26. Also, in a conventional manner, the intake port 12 may receive air from an external source.

Operation of the fan 10 produces an air stream in the duct 24, and this air is purified by reducing or substantially eliminating, noxious odors as well as carbon monoxide by means of an electromagnetic radiation generator 28 providing ozone (O in the duct 24. According to the improvement of the present invention, the generator 28 is mounted directly into the duct 24 to purify air from the source fan 10.

As a consequence of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. I, the air which is to be supplied to the interior compartment 26 is treated with ozone prior to being cooled or heated by the cooling coil 18 or the radiator 20. Thus, the air which is introduced into the compartment 26 is effectively mixed with the ozone, which ozone is effective in reducing or substantially eliminating noxious odors contained within the compartment, as well as minimizing any carbon monoxide which may exist therein.

While various designs of ozone generators may be utilized in the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ozone electromagnetic radiation generator 28 may comprise apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, an elongated sealed enclosure tube 30 includes inter nally therein an electrode (not shown) connected to a lead 32 from the output of a cyclically varying source 34. A second electrode 36 is disposed and wound around the outer wall of the tube 30 and connected to a lead 38, also from the cyclically varying source 34. One end of the electrode 36 terminates at a circular ring 40.

Disposed within the enclosure tube 30 is a gaseous medium which ionizes in response to a minimum voltage differential appearing across the leads 32 and 38 as connected to the electrodes of the generator, the resulting ionization generating radiation of desired wavelength (normally 1849 Angstroms). By controlling the gaseous medium which is disposed within the mm, and by fabricating the walls of the tube of radiating type glass, radiation of desired wavelengths may be caused to be transmitted through the tube walls into the surrounding atmosphere of the duct 24 as a consequence of ionization. The gaseous medium may consist of inert substances such as helium, argon, neon, krypton, xenon saturated, if desired, by metallic substances such as mercury, bismuth, cadmium, zinc, terrurium, or magnesium. Selection of the material of the enclosure tube is made to enable transmission of the radiation of the desired wavelength through the walls thereof.

To support the enclosure tube 30 within the duct 24 an insulating sleeve 42 encircles the sealed enclosure and is fitted into an opening of a cross bracket 44 attached to extending members 46 and 48. Extending members 46 and 48 are arranged substantially parallel and extend into the enclosure tube 30 transversely of the duct 24 to expose the air stream to ozone generated by the radiation generator. At the lower end of the tube 30 there is an insulating sleeve 50 fitted into the opening of a bracket 52 welded or otherwise attached to the extending members 46 and 48. At the lower end of the extending members 46 and 48 is a cross bracket 54 supporting a transistor 56 as part of the cyclically varying source 34. The transistor 56 connects to the source 34 by means of leads 58 and 60. This connection will be described in greater detail.

To position the extending members 46 and 48 in the duct 24, these members are bolted or otherwise attached to a mounting flange 62 physically in contact with walls of the duct 24. An enclosure 64 provides protection for the cyclically varying source 34 and includes terminals 65 for connecting to external control circuitry.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic of the cyclically varying source 34 connected to electrodes of the radiation generator. Electrode 36, wrapped around the outer surface of the enclosure tube 30, is shown connected to one side of a secondary winding 66 of a transformer 68 having a primary winding 70 and a feed back winding 72. Connected to the second terminal of the secondary winding 66 by means of the lead 32 is an electrode 74 disposed within the enclosure tube 30.

To provide a cyclically varying voltage differential across the electrodes 36 and 74, the primary winding 70 of the transformer 68 is part of an oscillator circuit including the transistor 56 having an emitter electrode connected to a common line 78 between the primary winding and the feedback winding 72. A collector electrode of the transistor 56 connects to a ground terminal and one side of a capacitor 80 having a second connection to the primary winding 70. Connected to the base electrode of the transistor 56 is an adjustable resistor 82 in series with a fixed resistor 84 having one terminal connected to the feedback winding 72.

An energizing voltage for the circuit shown is provided from a D.C. source (not shown) connected to a terminal 86 through an on-off switch 88 and a relay control contact 90. The relay control contact 90 is tied to the interconnection of the capacitor 80 and the primary winding 70.

With the radiation generator 28 operating in a system as illustrated in FIG. 1, the generator is energized only upon activation of the fan 10. Intercontrol between the fan 10 and the radiation generator 28 is provided by means of a relay 92 controlling the contact 90. Upon energization of the fan 10 the relay 92 is also energized thereby closing the contact 90 and activating the oscillator for providing a cyclically varying voltage across the electrodes 36 and 74 to produce ozone for purification of air in the duct 24.

As a consequence of the operation of the ozone generator 28 with the cyclically varying source 34, when the voltage potential between the electrodes 36 and 74 reaches the minimum required value, at either the negative or positive portions of the cycle of the transformer 68, the generator triggers and the resulting burst of energy associated with the gas ionization within the tube 30 produces radiation at the 1849 Angs troms wavelength through the walls of the tube and into the air stream within the duct 24. The collision of the radiation with the oxygen atoms within the duct 24, as well as the establishment of the high electrostatic field across the electrodes 36 and 74, transforms the oxygen in the air stream into ozone. This ozone associates with the oxygen within the air stream to reduce carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and also purify the air of noxious odors.

As mentioned, the enclosure tube 30 is fabricated of a glass which enables the transmisson of ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of approximately 1,849 Angstroms. The tube may be formed, for example, to

a length of approximately 4 or 5 inches and having a diameter of approximately one-quarter of an inch. The electrode 36 may comprise turns wound around the outer wall of the glass enclosure tube 30. in a specific application of the embodiment, the tube 30 is initially flushed with helium, and argon is thereafter introduced to produce a resulting pressure within the tube of approximately 30 millimeters. A small amount of mercury is thereafter introduced sufficient to saturate the argon. The cyclically varying source 34 produces an output alternating current in the range of from 4,000 to 7,000 Hz sufficient to produce a voltage potential across the electrodes 36 and 74 having a maximum valve of 1,500

volts. H H g V A typical circuit for the cyclically varying source 34, as shown in FlG. 3, includes a transformer 68 having a secondary winding of 1,400 turns, a primary winding of 14 turns and a feedback winding of 5 turns. Other circuit values include:

Transistor 56 Adjustable Resistor 82 Resistor 84 Capacitor 80 Although the ozone generator 28 is shown specifically incorporated within the heating-cooling system of an automobile in such a manner that air passing through the duct 24 is purified, the generator 28 may also be employed to purify air circulating within any confined space, such as an office building, commercial structure, or living quarters. The specific use of an automobile passenger compartment is intended as showing one application of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, while only one embodiment of the invention, together with modifications thereof, has been described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:

an electrostatic radiation generator, including:

a gaseous medium, a sealed enclosure filled with the gaseous medium,

a first electrode disposed within the enclosure,

a second electrode helically wound around the outer walls of the sealed enclosure,

a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding,

a transistor having one electrode connected to one terminal of the primary winding and a second electrode connected to the primary and feedback windings,

a feedback network having one end connected to the third electrode of said transistor and to said feedback winding, and

means for interconnecting the secondary winding to the first and second electrodes of the sealed enclosure,

means for providing a source of air,

a duct in communication with the outlet of said air source and having an air stream passing therethrough, and

means for mounting the sealed enclosure of said electromagnetic generator in said duct in the air stream thereof to condition air from said source.

2. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 1 including a capacitor connected in series with one side of the primary winding of the transformer and an electrode of said transistor, and wherein said feedback network includes an adjustable resistor having one end connected to the third electrode of said transistor and to said feedback winding.

3. Apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: an electromagnetic radiation generator including:

a sealed enclosure filled with a gaseous medium, a first electrode disposed within the enclosure, and

a second electrode wound around the outer walls of the sealed enclosure,

a source of cyclically varying voltage including:

a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding,

a capacitor connected in series with one side of the primary winding of said transformer,

a transistor having a first electrode connected to said capacitor and a second electrode connected to the primary winding and the feedback windmg,

a feedback network connected to a third electrode of said transistor and to one side of the feedback winding, and

means for interconnecting the secondary winding to the first and second electrodes of said electromagnetic radiation generator,

means for providing a source of air,

a duct in communication with the outlet of said air source and having an air stream passing therethrough, and

means for mounting the sealed enclosure of said electromagnetic generator in said duct in the air stream thereof to condition air from said source, said means for mounting including:

a mounting flange,

a first member fastened to said mounting flange and extending therefrom into said duct,

a second member disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to the first member fastened to the mounting flange and extending into the air duct, and

a bracket extending between said members for supporting the sealed enclosure in said duct.

4. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting includes:

a mounting flange,

a first member extending from said flange into said duct,

a second member disposed in a parallel relationship with said first member and also extending into said duct, and

a bracket extending between said members for supporting the sealed enclosure in the air stream of said duct.

5. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 1 including a relay controlled from said air source and having a contact switch for connecting a DC. source to the primary winding of said transformer.

6. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 3 including means for mounting said transistor to the first and second members for extension into the air stream for cooling thereof.

7. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 3 including a relay controlled from said air source and having a contact switch for connecting a DC. source to the primary of said transformer. =t= =t 

1. Apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: an electrostatic radiation generator, including: a gaseous medium, a sealed enclosure filled with the gaseous medium, a first electrode disposed within the enclosure, a second electrode helically wound around the outer walls of the sealed enclosure, a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding, a transistor having one electrode connected to one terminal of the primary winding and a second electrode connected to the primary and feedback windings, a feedback network having one end connected to the third electrode of said transistor and to said feedback winding, and means for interconnecting the secondary winding to the first and second electrodes of the sealed enclosure, means for providing a source of air, a duct in communication with the outlet of said air source and having an air stream passing therethrough, and means for mounting the sealed enclosure of said electromagnetic generator in said duct in the air stream thereof to condition air from said source.
 2. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 1 including a capacitor connected in series with one side of the primary winding of the transformer and an electrode of said transistor, and wherein said feedback network includes an adjustable resistor having one end connected to the third electrode of said transistor and to said feedback winding.
 3. Apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: an electromagnetic radiation generator including: a sealed enclosure filled with a gaseous medium, a first electrode disposed within the enclosure, and a second electrode wound around the outer walls of the sealed enclosure, a source of cyclically varying voltage including: a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding, a capacitor connected in series with one side of the primary winding of said transformer, a transistor having a first electrode connected to said capacitor and a second electrode connected to the primary winding and the feedback winding, a feedback network connected to a third electrode of said transistor and to one side of the feedback winding, and means for interconnecting the secondary winding to the first and second electrodes of said electromagnetic radiation generator, means for providing a source of air, a duct in communication with the outlet of said air source and having an air stream passing therethrough, and means for mounting the sealed enclosure of said electromagnetic generator in said duct in the air stream thereof to condition air from said source, said means for mounting including: a mounting flange, a first member fastened to said mounting flange and extending therefrom into said duct, a second member disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to the first member fastened to the mounting flange and extending into the air duct, and a bracket extending between saiD members for supporting the sealed enclosure in said duct.
 4. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting includes: a mounting flange, a first member extending from said flange into said duct, a second member disposed in a parallel relationship with said first member and also extending into said duct, and a bracket extending between said members for supporting the sealed enclosure in the air stream of said duct.
 5. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 1 including a relay controlled from said air source and having a contact switch for connecting a D.C. source to the primary winding of said transformer.
 6. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 3 including means for mounting said transistor to the first and second members for extension into the air stream for cooling thereof.
 7. Apparatus for conditioning air as set forth in claim 3 including a relay controlled from said air source and having a contact switch for connecting a D.C. source to the primary of said transformer. 